Cut That EQ!
EQ is an essential part of mixing used in professional audio work.
Most engineers will grab an EQ knob and start turning until it sounds right. And there is nothing wrong with that approach.
Generally, an inexperienced engineer will ‘add’ frequencies in an EQ device in order to make the track sound ‘brighter’ or give it more ‘body’ or any of about 10,000 terms people use to describe what they are wanting.
Example of #39;cutting#39; frequencies
However, an experienced engineer knows that the first place to start with EQ is to ‘cut’ frequencies.
The reason for this is that generally modern tracks are very ‘thick’ sounding and there is too much audio data for the amount of sonic space available. Cutting frequencies tends to ‘clean up’ a mix to allow for tracks to live together in harmony instead of fighting each other for space.
Another good practice is to roll off sub-bass frequencies in order to clean up the low end and make room for the Kick Drum or Bass Guitar.
Hi Pass EQ Example
I do this almost always for anything that might have sub-sonic frequencies that do not really need to be there for the track to sound right.
An example would be a vocal track… rarely (if ever) does the voice produce anything that is usable or necessary in that range. So using a ‘Hi Pass’ filter for vocal tracks is very common practice.
Example Background Vocals EQ setting
Finally, when cutting background vocals, it is a good idea to run them through a common group channel and EQ that group channel so that you conserve the amount of processing done by the audio computer and to place the background vocal parts in an area of the mix that does not compete with the lead vocal or backing tracks.
Notice that I have chosen to use both a ‘Hi Pass’ filter and also a ‘Hi Frequency Shelving’ EQ for the background vocals.
This has the effect of making the background vocals sound very ‘airy’ and keeps them out of the way of the lead vocal and other instruments.
